UN / PGA LAJCAK

Preview Language: Original

13-Sep-2018
00:02:00

Outgoing President of the General Assembly Miroslav Lajčák said the biggest challenge the UN faces is the threat to multilateralism adding, “It looks like we are forgetting about the raison d’être for the United Nations and we need to stand up for multilateralism.” UNIFEED

2. Wide shot, Lajčák entering press room
3. Wide shot, journalists
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Miroslav Lajčák, President of the General Assembly, United Nations:
“Of course, the biggest challenge to this organization is the threat to multilateralism that we are facing through big speeches, but also through small actions. And we have to resist because it is not a coincidence that the multilateral system was created after a global catastrophe to make sure that it will not be repeated in the future. It looks like we are forgetting about the raison d’être for the United Nations and we need to stand up for multilateralism.”
5. Med shot, journalist asking question
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Miroslav Lajčák, President of the General Assembly, United Nations:
“It cannot be denied that the current composition of the United Nations Security Council is not representative because it does not reflect the realities of 2018, of the 21st century. It copies the realities of 1945. So therefore, the call for the reform is just, and it is not denied.”
7. Wide shot, Lajčák at dais
8. SOUNDBITE (English) Miroslav Lajčák, President of the General Assembly, United Nations:
“I’ve expressed my regret on every occasion when it happened, and I do regret these withdrawals because I really believe that we are stronger together. And I am also absolutely convinced that we are facing challenges of nature that makes it impossible for a single Member State to deal with them on its own. And therefore, global challenges require global cooperation. All we can say at this point is that the door remains open and we will be very pleased when the United States decides to return to the institutions, bodies, and also the processes of the United Nations.”
9. Med shot, journalists
10. Wide shot, press room

STORYLINE:

Outgoing President of the General Assembly Miroslav Lajčák said the biggest challenge the UN faces is the threat to multilateralism adding, “It looks like we are forgetting about the raison d’être for the United Nations and we need to stand up for multilateralism.”

Speaking to journalists today (13 Sep) as his mandate comes to an end, Lajčák said his one-year term as President of the General Assembly was marked by several achievements including, the global compact on migration and better financing for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He noted however that multilateralism was under threat by “through big speeches, but also through small actions." He said it was “not a coincidence that the multilateral system was created after a global catastrophe to make sure that it will not be repeated in the future” and has such the world must “resist” this challenge.

The President of the General Assembly said we are clearly shifting from a world being dominated by one power to a multipolar world, but it doesn’t seem the shift is being regulated. He said there was a risk that those who feel powerful would try to establish their own rules within their spheres of interest. He added that there have been violations of agreements, norms, and rules without any adequate reaction which could trigger other to do the same. He said there was no alternative to multilateralism other than anarchy and chaos or a different set of rules imposed by different players according to their liking.

Lajčák also stressed the importance of pushing forward Security Council reform. He said the composition of the Council is not representative because “it does not reflect the realities of 2018”, rather it “copies the realities of 1945.” He said the call for reform is just but noted that many issues remain to be discussed.

Asked about the US withdrawals from UN processes and organizations, Lajčák said President Donald Trump told him during a meeting between the two that the UN has strong potential which has not been fully used.

SOUNDBITE (English) Miroslav Lajčák, President of the General Assembly, United Nations:
“I’ve expressed my regret on every occasion when it happened, and I do regret these withdrawals because I really believe that we are stronger together. And I am also absolutely convinced that we are facing challenges of nature that makes it impossible for a single Member State to deal with them on its own. And therefore, global challenges require global cooperation. All we can say at this point is that the door remains open and we will be very pleased when the United States decides to return to the institutions, bodies, and also the processes of the United Nations.”

He emphasised that the United States was a very important member of the UN which provides the largest contribution to the regular and peacekeeping budgets and was very well appreciated. He said the difference of opinions among Member States was the reason for the UN’s existence.